Letters to the Editor for March 23, 2014

Sunday

Mar 23, 2014 at 12:01 AM

Sun readers share their thoughts on U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, GRU, and more.

Waste of timeIn a recent town hall, U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho finds reasons to start impeachment proceedings in the Obama administration's approach to a plethora of issues (article, March 18). Furthermore, he blasted GOP leaders for failing to follow through with efforts to impeach Attorney General Eric Holder because they are more interested in winning elections.Sure, the leadership wants to win reelection but there are other reasons to not follow Yoho's proposed path. The main reason is the constitutional bar for impeachment has not been met. Officials can be removed from office for “treason, bribery and other high crimes and misdemeanors.” Neither the president nor attorney general has committed such acts.Perhaps the congressman thinks policy disagreements are crimes, but cooler heads in the House see the issue differently. They do not want to waste time and money on such nonsense.Yoho should focus on doing more for his constituents and less time attacking the president.Alyson Chadwick,Gainesville

Terrible distractionWe are facing serious problems in this country. These problems require serious and intelligent representatives in Washington working together to create legislation that addresses these problems — like our national debt, crumbling infrastructure, the Middle East and a Russian dictator.It is simplistic for Rep. Yoho to say that these problems are going to be solved at the “diner” and at the “coffee shop.” No, legislation is achieved through hard work with exchange of ideas, compromise and then the actual writing of legislation. We elect congressmen to create policy and govern for the good of all the people.Yoho does not understand the Constitution. His own feel-good nonsense about moving to impeach the attorney general or to sue the president have no real basis in the law, are a terrible distraction and are a complete waste of precious time that Congress needs to be spending on fixing our economy and providing for our security.Andrea Moore,Alachua

Giant corporationFrom time to time someone calls for selling Gainesville Regional Utilities to a private-sector corporation. Were Gainesville to move in that direction, it is highly likely that Duke Energy would be looking for a deal.In the last few years Duke moved to merge with Progress Energy (i.e. Florida Power Corporation). Duke, with a quick move, outflanked Progress and took the whole kit and caboodle.In North Carolina, Gov. Pat McCrory previously worked for Duke Energy for 28 years. Now whose waters are fouled with coal ash? Duke Energy is now the largest and most powerful utility corporation in the U.S.Isn't it be more likely that we, the citizens of Gainesville and Alachua County, will be able to work more rationally with GRU than a giant corporation? We should be careful about what we wish for!Clyde Kiker,Gainesville

GRU oversightAs we watch the GRU soap opera, we must ask who is responsible. Who held the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the best decisions were made without controversy or embarrassment?Public comments about GRU have covered the poor leadership and oversight provided by senior managers within GRU, the city commissioners, etc.I would think the city manager is the one who is ultimately responsible for ensuring things go right at every level of the city. I would further like to believe by knowing GRU is continually in the spotlight that the city manager would be visibly active to the public by ensuring the issues involving GRU are better managed.Perhaps we need a new city manager. I would like to see The Sun do some reporting on the oversight of the role that the city manager plays in GRU management and decisions.Dave Hill,Gainesville

Quiet no moreThe Southeast Gainesville Historic District is a quiet, beautiful little neighborhood where children play basketball in the street and cats roam from yard to yard. We have three bed and breakfasts in old Victorian houses, a green space and a community garden.Last week we were called to a meeting at Gainesville Regional Utilities and told by city employees that there is a plan to change our zoning from 14 units per acre to 125 units per acre.Well, let's see. First the city must strip us of our designation as a historic district. Then, what about parking? Maybe they can pave over Sweetwater Branch Park, or build a giant parking garage down there.What's next? Maybe a couple of strip malls and a bowling alley would be nice.Arupa Freeman,Gainesville